With four games played and three losses, the Los Angeles Kings' performance has been a source of disappointment. The two losses against the Edmonton Oilers, both in blowout fashion, have underscored the intense struggle the Kings have faced. One game, they played their best against the Oilers, only to be shut out. Their lone win came in overtime, a testament to their resilience, but also a stark reminder of their overall struggle.
The degree of separation was always expansive between the top talent of the Oilers and the top talent of the Kings. 'Depth' was the standout marker for this franchise to stand by as a herald of strength vs their eventual playoff foe in Edmonton. The Kings roster was set by Rob Blake in the offseason, leading into this series. That depth, starting off going 16-4-4, setting road NHL records, finely dissipated into the California sunset.
Their depth has been a nonfactor. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kevin Fiala combine for two goals in this series's four games. Both players have seen most of their minutes against the Oilers' bottom six. Both names came with significant costs through trade avenues. Neither player has been the X-factor they were brought in to be.
Neither player plays on the penalty kill. While I credit Dubois for playing off the half-wall on the power play (something he hasn't done in his NHL career), Fiala has been a mainstay on the first power play unit and a significant producer during the regular season, but much like the Kings 0-11 power play this series, Fiala has been non-existent.
The Oilers absolutely ate the Kings for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert on the power play through the series' first four games. The Oilers are likely to strike against any NHL team but should maintain a superiority complex after terrorizing the Kings' penalty kill for three straight postseasons.
This series wasn't as big of a question mark as some thought it would be. I initially had this series going six for the Oilers. There is a significant chance I miss that Wednesday. Yes, the Kings could send this back to LA, but it comes down to special teams. Shocking. In game five, if the Kings finally break through on the power play, it could be a significant boost for them to avoid elimination, even if for a short while.
It shouldn't be surprising to anyone that the Kings will likely come out and say a few injuries occurred all year. My hunch is that Vladislav Gavrikov played through a knee injury all year. Once acquired early in the season, he was a difference-maker and impact player, but he hasn't been the same since the knee injury against the Islanders during the regular season.
At center stage you have your legacy, future Stanley Cup holdovers. The hope is that these two can play at a high pedigree for the foreseeable future. The truth is Kopitar will be 37 next season, and Doughty, 35.
While both players won't be going anywhere, it will be interesting to see what significant changes happen to the organization as they look to be taking a step backward, not forward, after possibly losing to Edmonton for the third straight year in a row while depreciating in games.
Abject failure shouldn't be tolerated. This was a team with Stanley Cup aspirations to start the year. At this point they look like a minor speed bump in a legitimate team's path.